ClutchFans Game Thread: Warriors @ Rockets 11/8/2014

Rockets 6-0 vs Warriors 4-0 this is a game granted early in the season that was big. Once again Harden plays like he did in the 1st round. He has to get better/improve its just a fact. Dwight just needs to stop hanging around Clowney so much. Take the game more seriously this game should have been one where he should have had marked on his calender I will not miss it. Being undefeated needed to mean more you just don't take a loss that easy that's how I see it. Each game should mean more than what it does to some of these guys.

 

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If you are missing the 3 point shot because of the reasons you noted then the same conditions apply to any other shot. There is no reason to start playing inefficiently when you are trying to win a game. GS was contesting every shot even the midrange.

 

He wasn't very effective driving either the D was bracing for him and he tried to pass out unsuccessfully. Give them credit.

The only thing that he could get working was that mid-range floater.

These are good games for Harden because it does put him in a playoff type situation.

The biggest benefit to the Rockets having a great record isn't seeding, it's that everyone will play them 10 times harder which should help them grow as a team.

 

It's much harder to guard the entire court than just the rim and 3 point line.

It's also much easier to hit a 15 foot shot than a 22 ft shot when you are TIRED.

Try it. Go run suicides until you feel like your chest is going to explode and then try hitting a 3 point shot and then take a 15 footer. You percentage won't change much on the 15 foot but it will drop like crazy on the 3 point shot.

 

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No it is not easier to hit that 15 footer when you are tired. The odds are that now you ran off the perimeter where you were guarded against a similar size man to go in and see a 7 footer now coming out to guard you. The shot may still be there but that arc shot is now getting crazy and it now has to be done by a tired player.

No that 15 foot shot is not easier.

 

There was no inside presence that they had to respect. They could stay home on shooters and pack the paint on drives without the threat of the lob to Dwight.

Dwight may frustrate the hell out of people when he's trying to post up, but his presence does wonders for spacing in our offense.

 

I think Clowney and DaWhite Howard are seeing each other.

Think about it guys. Clowney plays for the HOUSTON Texans and DaWhite Howard plays for the HOUSTON Rockets. Clowney mist last week's game against the eagles with flu like symptoms and then last night DaWhite Howard did not suit up against the Warrios with fluke like systems all in one week. INCONVENIENCE? I think not.

 

I was at the game yesterday and Harden was on the court warming up by himself for a good 30 minutes before the game. His shot was off the entire time and I had a feeling he would have an off night. He just didn't look like himself. Posted a few pics below.

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That being said, I thought the Rockets played a great game considering the circumstances. Missing 3 starters and GS having pretty much their entire team rested and playing except David Lee. I can't complain one bit. We probably win with Howard playing. You can't win them all.

 

IMO we just got lazy after the 1st half. We started turning the ball over more and the offense got stagnant. ISO ball became our poison again last night.

They should be practicing mid-range jumper as well. We shouldn't always count on the 3 ball because sometimes like last night, they weren't falling. Live by the 3 and die by the 3. We shot 40 threes last night and only made 9. C'mon man

 

Not necessarily, he struggled mightily last playoffs and we had plenty of opportunities to win.

 

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Harden got tired and the team relied on him to run the offense. TJ play we win. Howard play we have another beat down victim. GS didn't show me they are a better team. They are over hyped.

They shot poorly. The mid range game would not have been better.

 

Harden probably partied it up with his days off .

 

Kemah you could be right but it's all about finding your stroke. I was always taught if your three is not falling, then you move in closer. If that's not working, then get to the free throw line so you can find your stroke.

Plus we are 7 games in and these ballers shouldn't be gassed like that. If he was tired, then we need a new conditioning coach.

 

Harden's Euro-step is absolutely ridiculous.
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Harden's offense was going to take a hit if he committed to defense. Before all his energy went offensively. He is now trying to condition to play 2 way ball. Give them time. Besides, when 3 starters are out and at the last minute trying to adjust is hard.

 

I believe you are confusing lazy with being gassed. The Rockets rotation lost over 100 starters minutes. Any NBA player will tell you that practice shape is not game shape. Just look at D-Mo, the only serviceable big in the lineup last night. He had been playing only 15 minutes a night. He was not in good enough shape to endure 30 minutes of game play. Seven footers who weigh 270 pounds are just like that. It was to be expected.

 

Having harden playing defense, running the offense, and driving/shooting is too much. You can see Harden being tired late and making careless TOs. Rockets need to trade for Dragic to run the offense.

 

And take the ball out of Harden's hands? You must be joking. Without three starters eating up 100 minutes of playing time, the team had to play much harder than normal. They were gassed, and McHale has not been able to build the appropriate depth yet this season. Don't panic over one bad half of basketball with three starters missing.

 

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Dragic wants the max and that would take the ball out of Hardens hands. Harden is a way better player than Dragic. What we need is a great combo guard to come off the bench.

 

Given we had 3 starters out, I thought we did a fantastic job to stay in the game. When Jet got the goal to get us back to within 3 and he was pumping up the crowd - that was excellent to see. Could imagine Harden would've brought the house down if he hit the follow up 3 to equalise.

Agree that the exhaustion took its toll on shooting %. It wasn't only Harden as Ariza was also terrible with his shots. And then there's Pap who has been playing well, but his shooting was awful.

We'll get them next time when we have Jones and Howard back.
Canaan has been awesome at the PG. Really pleased to see that.